Artificial limb



April 29 1924.

E. w. KENERSON ARTIFI CIAL LIMB Filed May 5. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1j-aderafbzr April 29 1924- 1,492,035 E. W. KEN E RSON ARTIFICIAL LIMBFiled May 5,- 1923 2 Sheets-Shea; 2

Patented Apr. 2, 192d.

EVERETT WQKEN'ERSON, 0F HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS.

ARTIFICIAL LIME.

Application filed May 8, 1923. Serial No. 636,379.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EVERETT W. KENER- soN, a citizen of the UnitedStates of America, and a resident of Haverhill, in the county of Essexand Commonwealth of hlassachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Artificial Limbs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to artificial limbs and more particularly toartificial arms for use in instances wherein a hand is missing andwherein the upper arm and a portion, at least, of the forearm is intact,and wherein a joint or hinge is included in the makeup of the limb toenable it to perform its proper function.

An object of the invention is to produce a limb of this class which hasa portion thereof adapted to be swung with respect to other portions,and having means coacting with said movable portions adapted to permitsaid swinging movement, said means being of such construction andarrangement as to afford relative longitudinal adjustment between thesaid movable portions.

Anotherobject of the invention is to so arrange the adjusting means thatadjustment may take place while the limb is attached to the user, and byone hand of the user without'iihe assistance of others.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple pivotalconnection between the movable portions which may be adjusted to therequired position, and retained there' in, until it is desired to make achange.

It is a further object of the invention to produce an artificial limbthat is strong and durable yet light in weight and in which the pivotalconnection is not bulky and cumbersome but is simple and accessible forready adjustment.

So far as is known. in artificial limbs of this class, it has notheretofore been possible to relatively adjust, toward or from eachother, two parts, such as the upper arm and forearm parts, the pivotalconnection being of such arrangement that relative longitudinal movementof the parts was not possible.

Generally the pivotalconnections were actually fixed pivots and notsusceptible to adables the artificial limb to be applied, by

opening, when the natural limb is inserted, and is arranged tothereafter hug the nat ural limb to thereby facilitate in securing theartificial member to the natural member, which has been found to be agreat convenience, as it automatically holds the portion of theartificial limb that is to be secured, in position to have the securingmeans attached, whether said means consists of straps and buckles, or,as in the present instance, a cord. I

As it is a feature of this invention to produce an artificiallimb thatis strong and durable and yet light in weight, certain portions of thepresent device are made of aluminum, while an extremity thereof, such asa hand, is composed of a light, compact, easily moulded mass ofpreferably fibrous material, such as felt, or its equivalent.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a hand the digits ofwhich may be flexed without injury thereto, and which will return to thenormal positions thereof when released.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive,and eflicient spring means to enable the digits to be flexed and whichdoes not require means to retain them in place other than the materialof which the hand is made.

The invention further consists in certain novel features of constructionand arrangement of parts which will be fully understood from adescription of the drawings and the claims hereinafter given.

Of the drawings:

Figure 1 represents in elevation, partially broken away, one form ofartificial limb embodying the invention;

Figure 2 an elevation looking in the direction of arrow A Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a portion of the limb'as 45 the wrist bone, and as thecuff 10 extends ithereover, 'it will be readily seen that it seen inFigure 1 but with the forearm part moved into another position.

7 Figure 4 a detail of one of thepivotal connections as, seen in Figure*1, the cover plate being removed.

Figure 5 a detail similar to Figure 4 showing the 'slidable pivotalconnection;

, position of'the arm encircling band before F i ure 6 an enlargedsection on the line Y 6--6 igure 1.

Figure 7 an end view looking toward the right Figure 2 showing theapproximate being applied to the natural limb.

' Figure 10 a view similar to Figure 9 showing one of the digits bent asit might appear in the finished hand.

Q'Figure'11 a section on the line 11-11 Figure 9.

Like characters represent like parts throughout the several figures ofthe draw-- 7 ings.

Referrmg to the drawings:

The drawings'herewith illustrate the invention as applied to one form ofartificial limb,xbut it is obvious that the principle might be appliedto other forms without departing, from its spirit and scope.

In the present instance a cuff 10, made preferably of aluminum andsuitably cov ered with leather is adapted to receive within it asocket-like extension 11 of a hand 12. The said cuff being of a shapesomewhat conical to conform to that of the natural member, itslongitudinal edges '13'being separated as seen in Figure 2. the gapbeing closed by an extension of the material of the cuff cover. a

' The extension 11 of the hand 12 having the socket 14 for the forearmstump has a raised portion or hump 15 made to resemble offers aid insecuring the hand and cuff'in assembled position. To further secure thehand to the cuff, a lacing 16 is provided, which when initially securedto the satisfaction of the user need'not bedisturbed thereafter whenremoving or replacing the limb ;.and when'the conical shape of the cuffand extension 11 is taken into consideration it will be seen that thehand may be firmly secured to the cuff.

In order to hold the cuff and hand to the arm of the user, a second cuffor band 17 is V v the natural arm 18' bent, as at the elbow,

provided which is preferably made of leather or like material, having aribbon of spring metal R secured in'a hem as seen at the upper or leftend in Figures l, 2, and 7. The band 17 isprovided with a lacing 18similar to that of the-cufi' 10, both'of .which are so arranged thatthey may be secured by the good hand of the user with- I out assistance.V

The connections between the cuff and-the band are such as to permit ofrelative swinging movement's'betweenthese .two parts. In

- the present invention the cuff has fast thereto at approximatelydiametrically opposite 2 points, metallic plates 19 fastened at 20 inany su'itable' or convenient manner. 7

Fast to the band 17 are the plates 21 and also one end of the plates 22and 23, between which latter are mounted the trucks or rolls 24,, 25,and 2c.

The roll 25 is mounted on the stud which secures the plates 21, 22 and23 to the band secures the plates 22 and 23 together, while the roll 24is mounted on the stud which secures the plates 21,22, and 23 togetherand which also serves as a pivot around which either of the limb partsmay'swing.

It will be understood that the studs are so arranged as to properlysecure the said plates and yet permit freedom of movement of the rolls24, 25 and 26;, f

The plates 21 and 22 are separated sufliciently to receive between themthe ends of plates 19, see Figures 2 and 6.

-' The plates 19 are provided with elonrolls 24 passto form the pivotalconnections between the cuff 10 and band 17.

To longitudinally adjust the cuff and band toward or from each other thestud and slot connection is preferably used but it will be obvious thatother means might be employed without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

To accomplish the adjustment and to retain the studs in'their adjustedpositions V 17, the roll 26 is mounted on the stud which gated slots 30through which the studs of relatively to the slots 30, a cord 31 isused, 7

which is secured to the cufi 10 at 32 and passes between the plates 22and 23"outside the roll 24, around roll 25,- and inside of roll '26 tofastening means 33 such as oppositely arranged lacing hooks on thecuif10.,

It will be readily seen that if it is desired 7 to increase the distancebetween the end andband, the cords 31 will be released from the hooks 33and slack given which will enable'the studs of rolls 24 to be shifted tonew positions in the slots 30. If the distance is to be lessened thecords' will be pulled till the stud is in the desired location, and

again refa'stened.

The locationsof the'rolls 24, 2,5, and 26 are such, that when the limbisin use, and

the rolls 26 which alternately take up, and give slack to the cordsduring the bending and straightening movements of thearm.

In practice it is preferred that a glove 35 shall be placed on the handto thereby conceal the cuff lacing which extends nearly to the end ofthe cuff at the wrist portion.

The hand shown in Figures 811 inclusive is preferably made of feltmoulded to the desired size and shape and having a socket 14 to receivein the present instance the stump of a forearm.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the digits are made to assume a naturalposition which enables the user to accomplish a number of feats whichcan not be successfully accomplished when a hand having rigid digits isused.

While the main body of the hand 12 is comparatively rigid, the digitsare flexible to a degree which permits the use of the hand to carryarticles of various descriptions such as a pocketbook, handkerchief, orsmall parcels, and even'permits a pencil or pen to be held in a naturalposition for the purpose of writing.

In order to give the necessary strength to the digits and yet permitflexing thereof, a length of preferably flat spring metal 36 is insertedinto each one.

This spring metal 36 is inserted after the hand is formed, the springbeing pointed as at 37 is forced into the digit until the pointed end iswell into the comparatively rigid body of the hand, and its other endinside the digit tip. I

/Vhen all the digits have been provided with springs, they are benttothe positions required, as for instance in Figure 9, which actionautomatically locks the springs in place by reason of the numerous bendswhich prevent the withdrawal of the said springs.

in applying the artificial limb to the user .it will be supposed thatthe lacing 16 has been secured in the proper manner to hold the hand tothe end and for the comfort of the user.

The lacing 18 being loosened and disengaged from its fastening hooks,the band. 17 is ready to receive the arm which may be thrust through theband till the stump properly seats in the socket 14.

The band 17, which is preferably made of leather and somewhat lacking instiffness, will at this time, be held quite snugly encircling the upperarm by reason of the circularly arrangedspring ribbon it in the endthereof, so that the lacing 18 may be readily engaged with the fasteninghooks and secured with but little trouble and effort.

When the stump has been seated in the socket and it is found, that theband 17 is not in its accustomed comfortable position on the arm, orthat the pivotal connection does not approximate closely enough aworking position with the elbow joint, the cords 31 may be slackened orshortened as the circumstances require to change the position of thestuds of the rolls 24c in the slot 30.

By this means it is possible to shift the pivotal points at any timewhile the limb is applied to the user, in order to locate them to thebest advantage to perform the pro-per function, and the use of a tool isnot re-- quired.

It is not known that a joint or pivotal point of this sort has ever beenused in connection with an artificial limb, and therefore it is not theintention to limit this invention to the precise construction andarrangement shown as it is obvious that Various changes might be madetherein without departing from its spirit and scope.

Having described the invention 1 claim:

1. In a multipart artificial limb, portions of which are required to beswung relatively to other portions; pivotal connections between saidportions; means to shift said pivotal connections whereby said portionsmay be adjusted toward or from each other; and means to retain saidportions in adjusted position.

2. In a multipart artificial limb portions of which are required to beswungrelatively to other portions; pivotal connections between saidportions; means to adjust said portions toward or from each other saidmeans including said pivotal connections; and means to retain saidportions in adjusted position.

3. In a multipart artificial limb portions of which are required to beswung relatively to other portions; pivotal connections between saidportions adapted to be shifted for the adjustment of said portionstoward and from each other; and flexible means adapted to be attached tosaid portionsto thereby retain them in adjusted position.

1. In a multipart artificial limb portions of which are required to beswung relatively to the other portion; pivotal connections be seen saidportions adapted to be shifted for the adjustment of said portionstoward and from each other; flexible means adapted to be secured to saidportions to thereby retain them in adjusted position; and means wherebysaid flexible means will be caused to maintain a constant uniformtension regardless of the relative positions of said portions. Y Y I 5.In an artificial limb of the class described portions of which arerequired to be swung relatively to other portions, pivotal connectionbetween said portions adapted to be shifted for adjustment of saidportions toward and. from each other; flexible means secured to one ofsaid portions and engaging "another'of said portions adapted to maintainsaid pivotal connection in the required position; and means whereby acontinuous uniform tensionmay be applied to said flexible meansregardless of the relative positions of said portions.

6. In an artificial limb of the class described having two'membersthereof pivotand means'to varythe distance between said members throughsaidslotand stud engage ment.

7. In an artificial limb of the class described having two membersthereof pivotally connected togeth r, plates extending from each memberadapted to coact to form said pivotal connection; pivotal connectlonmembers; and coacting with means to create continuous uniform tension insaid flexible means regardless of the relative positions of saidmembers. I

18.- In an artificial limb of the class described having twomembersadapted to be pivotally joined together, a plurality of plates extendingfrom each ofsaid members r anged to overlap those of the other member;certain of said plates of one member having slots therein; certain otherof said plates of the other member having pivot studs carried thereby,adapted to shiftably engage said slots, for the purpose of adjustmentbetween the said two members; flexible connections between said membersfast with one of said members and'adapted to control the positions ofsaid studs in said slots; and coactingwith means to effect continuousuniform'tension on said flexible connection regardless of the positionsof'said members. 9. In an artificial limb of the class de scribed havingtwo members adapted to be pivotally joined together, a plurality ofvplates extending from each of said members arranged to overlap those ofthe other member; certain of said plates having slots therein; certainother of said plates having studs carried thereby adapted to shiftablyengage said slots; certain of said plates being so arranged astomaintain said slot and stud engagement; a plurality of trucks car riedby one of said members; flexible connections between said membersadapted to shift said studs in said slots and maintain them in position,said trucks acting in conjunction with said flexible connections forsaid purpose and being of such arrangement Lasao'st as to maintaincontinuousuniform' tension on said flexible connectionsregardless of thepositions of said members; 7

10. In an artificial limb of the class deadapted to be pivotally swungbetweenthe plates of said pairs; studscarried by said first mentionedplates; said second plates having slots therein adapted" to coact withsaid studs to'form shiftable pivot points; a flexible connection betweensaid members; trucks carried by one of said members adapted tocoact withsaid flexible connection to 'shlft sald studs in said slots said trucksbeadapted to receive the stump-of a natural limb; a member adapted tobesecured to anotherportionof said natural limb; shiftable pivotalconnections between said members; means coacting-with said pivotalconnections whereby said members may be ad justed toward or from eachother; limb embracing means formingpart' of said" second memberadaptedto; normally retain said second. member inlimb embracingposimember to'said natural limb; 12. In an artificial limb of theclassdetion; and means tofurther secure said second scribed having twomembers thereof adapted to be pivota'lly swung, a member adapted toreceive the stump of a natural limb; a member adapted to be secured toanother portion of said natural limb; shiftable' pivotal connectionsbetween said members; means coactingwith said pivotal connectionswhereby said members may be'adjusted toward and from each other; anether extremity such as a hand carried by said stump receiving member;means to, secure said extremity to said receiving member; a pluralityofsprings in said extremity adapted and arranged to furnish resiliencyto certain portions of said extremity such as fingers; and means tosecure said second member to said natural limb.

13. In an artificial limb of the class described having two membersthereof adapted to be pivot-ally connected together, a conical' memberadapted to receive the stump of a natural limb; a member adapted to besecured to another portion of'said natural limb; pivotal means betweensaid members adapted to be shifted for the purpose of relativelongitudinal adjustment between the said members; a nether extremitycoinprising portions such as a wrist, hand, and

fingers integrally formed and having a conical portion adapted to besecured Within said stump receiving member; said Wrist portion having asocket therein to receive the end of a stump; means to secure saidextremity to said stump receiving member and to a stump; shaped springsadapted to be inserted in said extremity after the formation thereof andadapted to furnish strength and resiliency to certain portions of saidextremity such as fingers; and means to secure said second member tosaid natural limb.

.l-l. In an artificial limb having members thereof adapted to bearticulated, a' nether extremity such as a hand having a Wrist portionand fingers integral therewith and composed of fibrous material andhaving reinforcing resilient material inserted therein and extending tosaid fingers whereby said portions may be made to assume certainpositions and return in a resilient manner, said Wrist portion having asocket therein to receive the stump of a natural limb.

15. An artificial limb having members thereof adapted to be pivotallyjoined together; shiftable pivotal connections between said members;means to retain said connections in their required positions;collapsible means coacting with one of said members adapted to embrace anatural limb for the purpose of temporarily securing the artificial limbthereto When it is to be adjusted for use; and means to further securesaid member to said natural limb When the said artificial limb isadjusted for use.

16. An artificial limb having an upper arm and a forearm part adapted tobe pivotally' connected by shiftable pivot means; means to retain saidpivot means in the required position; and a normally collapsed springband in said upper arm portion adapted to be expanded to initiallysecure said upper arm portion to an arm; and

means to further secure said upper arm part to an arm.

1'7. An artificial limb having upper and fore arm parts adapted to bepivotally connected; a normally collapsed spring band adapted to beexpanded to encircle an arm to initially secure said upper arm part toan arm; a secondary securing means such as a lacing adapted to finallysecure'said upper arm part to an arm; shiftable pivot connectionsbetween said upper and fore arm parts; and means to retain said pivotalconnections in the required positions.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this 2nd day of May, 1923.

EVERETT W. KENERSON.

